If you use Signal a lot, you may want to change your PIN number. Maybe you’ve recently been a victim of hacking, or maybe you just want to stay one step ahead and change your credentials regularly. In fact, experts suggest changing your PIN number at least once every three to six months to protect your data and accounts from unauthorized access.
Fortunately, changing your PIN on Signal is a relatively simple process. This article will explain how to change your PIN on Signal for Android or iOS systems.
Change PIN in Signal
An exclusive feature of the Signal app, your PIN helps you recover your information (profile, settings, contacts, etc.) if you change or lose a device. With a PIN, your information is easily recoverable. For that reason, it is very important that you have one.
Depending on the device you use, the steps you need to follow to change your PIN are different. Let’s start with Android.
Android
If you are using an Android device, following the steps below will help you change your PIN.
- Open the Signal app.
- Go to the top left corner of the app. You will see the “Profile Icon”. Click on it.
- Then, scroll down to “Account.”
- Click the button that says “Change your PIN.”
- You will see a box asking you to “Create new PIN.”
- Create a new PIN and click the “Next” button.
It’s that easy! If you follow these steps correctly, you will successfully change your PIN.
iOS
The steps for iOS users are slightly different. This is what you should do:
- Open the Signal app.
- Continue by clicking on the “Profile Icon”. You can find it in the top left corner of your screen.
- Click the “Account” button.
- Select “Change your PIN” and click “Next.”
- Confirm the PIN and select “Next.”
If you follow the above steps correctly, you will successfully change your PIN in the Signal app for iOS.
Helpful Tips When Changing Your Pin
Some useful tips when changing your PIN include making sure you choose something you can remember and always making sure you choose a “good” PIN. But what does this mean exactly?
Remember your PIN
Signal does not keep records of its users’ PIN numbers. As such, the app cannot reset or recover data if you lose it.
If you forgot your PIN and enabled registration lock, you may be locked out of your account for up to seven days. After seven days of inactivity, the local registration expires. Although you can create a new PIN after the old one expires, the information associated with the old PIN will no longer be available to you. All of which means you will lose your contact and other information associated with the account.
So you definitely want to make sure you choose something you’ll remember.
Signal PINs can be numbers of at least 4 digits, but can also be alphanumeric. There is also no limit to PIN length.
Choose a good PIN
If you choose a series of numbers like 1111 or 2222 for your PIN, it may be easy to remember, but there are much better options for a PIN. Because? Because if you choose something like 1111 or 1234, it’s easy to guess. Instead, you may want to think about choosing a date that has personal or private meaning. Your best friend’s birthday could be a good choice. Or maybe you really like history. Choose a date of historical relevance. If you like to read, choose the day your favorite book was released. Vacations are also a good option. Maybe choose the day of your favorite vacation or the day you went on a favorite family vacation.
These are all ideas to help you think about what might work for your PIN. Ultimately, what you choose is up to you.
Enter your PIN correctly
Signal occasionally sends PIN reminders. When prompted, make sure you enter your PIN code correctly. If you don’t do it the first time, reminders are sent more frequently. This is automatic and is intended to help you. However, you can turn off reminders in the “Settings Profile”.
- Click on your avatar, go to “Account” and click on “PIN Reminders.”
- If you enter your PIN, you can turn off reminders by clicking “Turn off reminders.”
If you do this, you must make sure you remember your PIN.
Frequent questions
What is this PIN for?
Signal created what is known as the Secure Value Recovery system. Basically, all this means that your data is not stored on the company’s servers. Instead, no one but you, the user, and the person you send the information to ever sees information like your profile, contacts, and other data you store and send in Signal. It’s important to note here: your PIN doesn’t contain your chat history, but it does have all the other personal data you may need.
Simply put, PIN allows you to retrieve your information without asking the company to do it for you.
What happens if I have more than one PIN?
You cannot have more than one PIN. You may be confusing the PIN with one of the following numbers: the SMS verification code provided to you during the verification process, the screen lock, or, for Android phones, the 30-digit passcode to reset the PIN. chat.
Can I deactivate my PIN?
If you want you can. Just remember that without the PIN, reinstalling the app on the same or another device would mean your contacts and Signal information would disappear. Disabling PIN means you are disabling Secure Value Recovery. But if you still want to use the disable feature, go to the “Create PIN Screen” and: “select more Android_more.png or iOS_more.png > Disable PIN”.
Changing your signal pin is simple and easy
It’s relatively easy to change your Signal PIN for Android or iOS. Just make sure that when you change it, you choose something memorable and relevant. If you forget your PIN, the information is not recoverable. So choose something you remember. The last thing you want to do is lose all your valuable personal data.
